Those are just some of the safe places in Hawaii, according to Sen. Chun Oakland, who chairs the Senate Committee on Human Services. She said lawmakers approved $400,000 to create an assessment center. It’s another safe place where teens who are picked up by police, as in Tuesday’s case, can go to, to get counseling.

“Allows police officers or law enforcement officers when there’s a young person that may be has done something, rather than arresting them, would bring them to the assessment center,” Sen. Chun Oakland said.

Lawmakers are also trying to get another $400,000 to fund an assessment center on the Big Island.

During this legislative session, Sen. Josh Green is asking for $200 million to build another state mental health facility that could include 30 beds for teens. The Hawaii State Hospital in Kaneohe does not accept teen patients.